Lansing, MI Festivals

We weren't kidding when we said Greater Lansing is Michigan's festival capital! As you can tell from the length of this list, there is a lot to celebrate in Greater Lansing all year long. Plus, a list of festivals this diverse means there is bound to be an event you and your family can enjoy. So check out the events below and start planning which events you will attend this year.

January

January 27 Art & Craft BeerFestLansing • (517) 331-0528www.artandcraftbeerfest.com
The sixth annual Art & Craft BeerFest is an indoor art, beer and music festival where you can go back and forth between four venues. All venues are located on the same block, just a short walk from one another.

March

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Grand Ledge • (517) 627-8360 or (517) 627-0758www.glstpats.org or find us on Facebook Grand Ledge St. Patrick's Day Parade
This annual celebration is set in historic downtown Grand Ledge and consists of an Irish cook-off, live music, Irish dance performances, a grand parade and pub crawl.

March 22-24 March Magic Hoopfest
East Lansing • (888) 326-5590www.marchmagichoopfest.com
The March Magic Hoopfest is an interactive basketball playground for children of all ages at MSU’s Jenison Field House during the MHSAA Boys’ Basketball Semi-Finals and Finals. This event includes a variety of basketball skill games, displays and educational activities and is located adjacent to the Jack Breslin Student Events Center where the tournament games are played.

March 27 Forks & Corks
Lansing • (517) 487-3322www.forksandcorkslansing.org
Forks & Corks is an upscale evening of unparalleled wine and food pairings, showcasing wines from around the globe and culinary treats from metro-Lansing's top dining spots. Each suite in the stadium will have a dish from one of metro-Lansing's best restaurants paired with a fine wine. Guests will be invited to vote for the best pairing.

April

April 6-22 MSU Science FestivalMichigan State University-East Lansing • (517) 353-8977www.sciencefestival.msu.edu
The MSU Science Festival is a multi-day series of event, talk, demonstrations, tours, open houses, guest speakers and hands-on activities highlighting the fascinating, though often overlooked, fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (a. k. a. STEAM) Great for the whole family.

April 7 Taste & Tour of Old Town
Lansing • (517) 485-4283www.iloveoldtown.org
The Taste & Tour is one of Old Town's unique events which allows participants to sample delicious foods from Old Town restaurants and food retailers, while getting a chance to tour the lofts that Old Town has to offer.

April 7 Lansing Lugnuts Opening Day Celebration!
Lansing • (517) 485-4500www.lansinglugnuts.com
Join in the fun at Cooley Law School Stadium as the Lansing Lugnuts minor league baseball team celebrates opening day! Enjoy free activities and entertainment from 3-6 p.m.

April 11-15 Capital City Film Festival
Lansing • (517) 483-4058www.capitalcityfilmfest.com
The Capital City Film Festival (CCFF) is a multimedia showcase of films and live touring bands that engage audiences in Michigan’s capital city. CCFF celebrates independent artists from around the world by curating outstanding multimedia experiences for the community.

April 28 Beerfest at the Ballpark-Spring
Lansing • (517) 331-0528www.beerfestattheballpark.net
This spring festival is held in the 360 concourse and front lawn of Cooley Law School Stadium and provides attendees the opportunity to taste more than 300 craft beers, ciders, meads, spirits and wine from over 70 Michigan breweries while enjoying the ballpark atmosphere.

May

May 3-6 Spring Fling Festival
Mason • (517) 676-1046http://www.masonchamber.org/
Come to Mason to experience all that 35th Spring Fling has to offer. Includes a 5K run, the Courthouse craft show on Saturday, duck race and much more—there’s something for everyone.

May 11-13 Mighty Uke Day 8
Lansing • (517) 896-4025www.mightyukeday.com
Mighty Uke Day is a celebration of the diminutive yet dynamic ukulele and honors its unique ties to Michigan culture as well as its contributions to music education and appreciation in the schools and community.

May 19-20 Michigan State University Spring Arts and Crafts Show
East Lansing • (517) 355-3354www.uabevents.com
One of the largest arts and crafts shows in the state that includes a broad range of vendors selling handmade items including: candles, furniture, jewelry, home and yard décor, aromatherapy, clothing, children’s toys, painting, photography, pottery, sculpture and much more!

May 25-27 Cristo Rey Fiesta
Lansing • (517) 394-4639www.cristoreychurch.org
This annual fiesta features authentic Mexican folkloric dancing as well as dancing in the evenings to live Tejano and Salsa Merengue bands. Proudly serving the finest in homemade Mexican dishes.

June

June 2 Be A Tourist In Your Own Town
Community-Wide • (517) 487-6800www.lansing.org/batyot
Explore a world of possibilities in Greater Lansing from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Purchase a $1 “passport” for free admission to over 75 attractions. Enjoy interactive activities and giveaways for the kids! CATA Be A Tourist bus routes provide transportation to most attractions for just 50 cents. Collect ten stamps in the “passport” to win great prizes!

June 15–17 Lansing Juneteenth Celebration & African American Parade
Lansing • (517) 394-6900www.lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org
Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States by celebrating the joys of liberty, educating the community about African-American heritage and promoting positive cultural interaction. This three-day event includes music, dance, entertainment, educational exhibits, a parade and entertainment. Celebrating 25 years in the Lansing area!

June 15-16 Michigan Pride March, Rally & Festival
Lansing • www.michiganpride.org
A statewide celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community and allies. The festival kicks off Friday night with the White Party. Saturday, take part in a march to the Capitol, a rally on the Capitol lawn, then head to the festival complete with all-ages entertainment, vendors and a beverage tent.

June 16 Oldsmobile Homecoming
Lansing • (517) 645-7438www.reolds.org
The 26th annual car show and swap meet for all Oldsmobile and Oldsmobile-powered vehicles. The event will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hurst/Olds.

June 17-23 Red Cedar Jubilee
Williamston • (517) 655-3831
The Red Cedar Jubilee features parades as well as craft shows, an enduro derby, a circus, a duck drop and a food and beverage tent with live music.

June 22-23 Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
East Lansing • (517) 319-6980www.eljazzfest.com
A free two-day music festival in the heart of downtown East Lansing, featuring the best in local, regional and national talent, children’s activities, a traditional New Orleans-style Second Line Parade and more. Presented by the city of East Lansing, Wharton Center and the MSU College of Music, with artistic direction by Rodney Whitaker.

July

July 5-8 Common Ground Music FestivalLansing • (517) 267-1502www.commongroundfest.com
Join us for the 19th annual Common Ground Music Festival. See some of the best rock, pop, country and hip-hop stars in the world take the stage in downtown Lansing along the Grand River in a setting unlike any other.

July 9-14 Eaton County FairCharlotte • (517) 543-4510www.eatoncountyfair.com
Whether you enjoy tractor and truck pulls, motor-cross races or demolition derbies, you can find it all at the Eaton County Fair.

July 13-14 Old Town Scrapfest
Lansing • (517) 485-4283www.oldtownscrapfest.com
Teams have two weeks to create art out of recycled materials that will be displayed during the event. Food, music, beverages and more!

July 28 Car Capital Auto & Bike Show
Lansing • (517) 372-0529www.reoldsmuseum.org
The R.E. Olds Transportation Museum's annual car show celebrates our city's rich automotive history! See all makes and models of cars and motorcycles from 1900's to the present. Free family fun with live music and vendors on the streets of Downtown Lansing. The State Capital Building serves as a backdrop for this fun-filled day.

July 30-August 4 Ingham County Fair
Mason • (517) 676-2428www.inghamfair.org
Celebrating 164 years, the Ingham County Fair offers something for everyone; including hundreds of exhibits, exciting grandstand events, the spectacular midway, the creation station and more!

August

August 3-4 Bath Days Festival
Bath • (517) 712-8942www.bathdays.com
Bath Days is a two-day festival offering midway rides, food, entertainment, car show, parade, games and most of all…Bath Tub races for all. Enjoy cold beverages, hot food and shopping amongst the many vendors featuring home/hand made items you can only buy during Bath Days.

August 3-4 Lansing JazzFest
Lansing • (517) 371-4600www.jazzlansing.com
Located in Old Town, surrounded by the best of the Capital City’s art galleries and unique retail stores and grand architecture, the 24th annual Lansing JazzFest’s multiple stages offer outstanding talent, from local favorites to regional and national acts, plus vendors and KidzBeat.

August 11 Lansing Eastside Folklife Festival
Lansing• (517) 249-5208engage.msu.edu/LEFF
A celebration of Michigan’s rich cultural heritage—the music, art, crafts, food, and cultural traditions of our state and beyond—will take place Saturday, August 11th, from 10 AM to 8 PM at the Allen Neighborhood Center. The free festival will showcase the music, dance, and arts of the 2018 recipients of the Michigan Heritage Awards and Traditional Arts Apprenticeships, and close with a performance by the Tannahill Weavers, a renowned Scottish band on a 50th anniversary tour.

August 22 Old US 27 Motor Tour
DeWitt • (517) 881-2329www.old27tour.com
View hundreds of classic cars as they travel through Michigan on historic Old US 27 for a seven-day tour (Aug. 20-26), stopping in Lansing mid-tour. This is one of the premier classic car events.

August 24-26 Sun Dried Music Fest
Mason • (517) 676-1046http://www.masonchamber.org/
The 9th annual free music event features many bands, food vendors, a beer and wine refreshment tent and a variety of items for sale. Located in the streets of Mason, next to the Ingham County Courthouse; downtown shops and restaurants will be open.

August 31- September 2 Michigan Chicken Wing Festival
Lansing • (517) 749-7001http://www.michiganchickenwingfestival.com/
The 4th annual festival is in support of Against All Odds Foundation which supports Cancer patients and survivors. The festival features many bands and musical acts of all genres, food vendors, Kids Zone, a beer and wine refreshment tent and variety of items for sale and community organization vendors. The festival ends with a Sunday Night Concert, located at the Adabo Riverfront Park.

September

September 5-9 Frontier DaysCharlotte • (517) 543-3325www.charlottefrontierdays.com
A 48-year-old festival that’s an end of summer celebration! Entertainment for all ages starting with Ladies Night, an award-winning rodeo, The Saloon (largest bar this side of Texas), a parade, arts and crafts on the courthouse lawn and The Frontier Market! Make sure to stop on out for some family fun!

September 13-16 Down Home DaysMason • (517) 676-1046http://www.masonchamber.org/
Come to Mason for the 45th Down Home Days Festival and join folks for a free outdoor concert Thursday, family activities on Friday and craft show on Saturday at the historic Ingham County Courthouse Square, along with so much more!

September 14-15 PRIME Music Festival
Lansing • (517) 267-1502www.primemusicfest.com
Following an impression launch in 2017, the PRIME Music Festival returns for a 2nd year. A two-day music festival with an urban lineup in downtown Lansing's preferred festival venue Adabo Riverfront Park.

September 15 Taste of Downtown
Lansing • (517) 487-3322www.tasteofdowntown.org
Taste of Downtown is the food and wine festival of the summer! Sample fares from numerous downtown restaurants, wines from around the world and spirits distilled in downtown Lansing. Live music in a variety of genres rounds out the fun!

September 21-22 Michigan BluesFest
Lansing • (517) 371-4600www.michiganbluesfest.com
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of producing Old Town Lansing's renowned BluesFest, offering free music from multiple stages, great vendors, and special children's activities.

September 30 American Heritage Festival
Lansing • (517) 322-0030www.woldumar.org
A celebration at Woldumar Nature Center of Mid-Michigan heritage through crafting demonstrations, live entertainment, a market of local vendors and family-friendly activities.

October

October 12 Board of Water & Light Chili CookoffLansing • (517) 702-6377www.lbwl.com
Local businesses compete to win the hearts, palates and votes of attendees. Competitors showcase culinary skills at a downtown party with chili, cold beer, margaritas and live bands.

October 13-14 Apple Butter Festival
Lansing • (517) 483-4224www.mynaturecenter.org
Embrace our ties to the land at Fenner Nature Center’s 45th annual Apple Butter Festival! Help stir the apple butter, cooked the old-fashioned way in a copper kettle over the fire, or try your hand at the cider press. The beauty of nature in autumn, coupled with heritage artisans, local musicians and savory food is sure to be a memorable event!

October 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 Boo at the ZooLansing • (517) 342-2710www.potterparkzoo.org
Little ghouls and boys will enjoy THREE weekends of spooktacular fun. Noon to 5 p.m. Lots of fun for the whole family including a straw maze, hayrides, the Boo Tunnel and more!

November

November 9-14 East Lansing Film Festival
East Lansing • (517) 980-5802www.elff.com
Celebrating its 21st year, this world-class film festival showcases independent features, documentaries and shorts as well as offering tributes, seminars, premieres and parties.

November 16 Silver Bells in the City
Lansing • (517) 487-3322www.silverbellsinthecity.org
The city will glow with thousands of lights for the Silver Bells in the City celebration, bringing together family and friends from across Michigan and beyond to kick-off the holiday season. The Electric Light Parade, Silver Bells Village, lighting of the State Christmas Tree, and musical entertainment are all part of this Lansing tradition.

December 1-2 MSU Arts & Crafts Holiday Show
East Lansing • (517) 355-3354www.uabevents.com/retailad/arts-and-crafts-show
The MSU Arts & Crafts Holiday Show is one of the largest in the state. This year’s show will include many returning favorites as well as brand-new artists. There will be a broad range of vendors selling handmade items, including: candles, furniture, jewelry, home and yard decor, aromatherapy, clothing, children’s toys, paintings, photography, sculptures and more!